How Late is Too Late to Cross the Mountains?

In the last couple of weeks a common theme has emerged in the questions I have been answering: "I'm on the TransAmerica Trail / Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail / Northern Tier Route right now, will I be able to cross the Rocky Mountains/Cascades/Sierras before the snow flies?" While I don't have the exact answer -- that would take serious soothsayer skills -- I can point out some resources to help hedge your bets.

Back in December 2009, I wrote about Pass Planning Resources via state Department of Transportation websites. International travelers, with these same concerns in the Alps, should check the links at AlpineRoads.com. These sites will typically give a current status report on travel conditions and short term weather forecast. In the western U.S., it's not unusual for a mountain road over a pass to be closed once snow starts to accumulate. There isn't enough traffic to justify the expense of clearing it.

A great resource for what to wear and how to negotiate snowy or icy roads is the ICEBIKE website. While the site is directed primarily at commuting cyclists and short distance recreational riding, there is still a lot to be gained from perusing its pages. They even have an email list discussion for asking specific questions. Of course, remember the Adventure Cycling forum is also a valuable spot to ask questions of cyclists who've faced the same dilemma.

What advice would you offer to someone asking this question? How late have you crossed a mountain pass? Leave your answer in the comments, I'd love to hear your stories.

Top photo: View from the seat of a cyclist ready to ride in snowy conditions. Photo courtesy of Michael Webber

Second photo: US 24 north of Buena Vista, Colorado near the Great Parks South Bicycle Route. Photo courtesy of Steve Garufi

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures and persons fromAdventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.